Free scriptwriting programme

Am majorly distracted with finishing the script I mentioned last time. I have pasted it into a free programme called Celtx which is really great! It even has a storyboard facility which allows you to download images.

I have heard mention of printing glitches, but haven't got that far yet. I'll keep you posted. If it does work out it'll save me a packet.

Anyway, the script is either going to be a play or a sitcom, not sure which at this stage. It's been ages since I wrote a script, and I forgot how much fun it is. No more descriptive passages, it's all action and dialogue!

Sophocles RIP

Yesterday I looked out some old scripts I wrote a couple of years back and was pleasantly surprised to find they were not as dreadful as I had thought. I wrote them on a programme called Sophocles. At the time I bought it - must be 2004/5 - it was the best one I could find and quite reasonably priced.

Last year I started writing on a laptop and found Sophocles wouldn't work on Vista. I emailed Sophocles who sent me an add-on to solve the problem. It didn't. But at the time I was busy with the novel writing so I didn't pursue it.

Yesterday I decided to give it another try. Imagine my disappointment to find Sophocles no longer exists and I now hear it was bought up last spring, since when the website has vanished without a word.

It's a shame, and means I am now having to consider another screenwriting programme. I've downloaded the Movie Magic Screenwriter Demo. It looks very good, but at that price it damn well should be!

There's a lesson to be learned about buying programmes from small independent companies. Will they last or get bought out/crushed by the giants, taking your support with them? It's a consideration when buying software.

Writing software

Do you use writing software?

Every year at his time I get restless and start looking for new software to help with my writing. Before you say it, I know a mere computer programme cannot write a book, but if every writer had eschewed technology we'd all still be scratching pictures of bison on the walls of caves. And there are some good packages out there.

In the past I've used Ywriter - mainly because it's free - but for a while it was the only programme I could find that helped me to file the info and divide the book into chapters. I ran into problems with it when it mucked up the saving aspect and haven't used it since.

This year I have been distracted by Dramatica Pro. It is expensive, and seems to require a big commitment of time and effort to master it in the early stages. But what I like about the download is it guides you through the story structure with lots of indepth questions about your plot, characters, story arc (yes, there's a lot of jargon too - I said it took a while to learn :()

When seeking advice about it, I was pointed in the direction of Liquid Story Binder. After downloading the demo (one month free use without limitation) I confess it seemed a bit user unfriendly, but then I tracked down the tutorials on the website and now feel like I'm getting the gist of it. At $45 it is a much cheaper investment than Dramatica, and seems to do a lot of the organising and storing I'm looking for.

So I'll probably have a go at loading one of my WIPs into it and see what difference it makes. I'll keep you posted...

Happy Hogmanay

Well, that's another one over with and this year I got a bumper load of useless gifts. It's at times like this you realise your so-called nearest and dearest don't know you at all! Ah, well. At least I got some book tokens so they'll come in handy.

So now there's New Year, or Hogmanay as we call it up here, to look forward to. I'm detoxing at the moment, so only the resolutions for me this year. One thing I must do is try to cut down on my internet forum usage which has almost eclipsed my writing lately. I'll try to keep blogging, but we'll see how it goes. I also must spend more time getting fitter as I've really become a couch potato in 2008.

Happy Hogmanay one and all!

Season's Greetings

Christmas is looming. This means:

The family are all home all day every day so no time to myself.

The housework, long dismissed as irrelevant while I tap at my keyboard, refuses to be ignored any longer.

My elderly relations will need to be fed and watered.

So, blogging will sadly have to drop down my priority list. I wish you all a very nice holiday and may all your dreams come true in 2009. I'll see you when I get the chance.

If you're interested in my friend Edie Tor's plans for Christmas please see them here. And feel free to leave any comments - I'm having trouble convincing her that anyone is reading.

http://edietor.blogspot.com/

YouWriteOn (Again)

The YouWriteOn POD debacle shows no sign of cooling off, with some individuals making some pretty extreme and probably libelous accusations against the site and its founder, Ted, on the various message boards I visit. I don't want to add to it, there's enough hot air being expended already. But I will say this.

YWO was my first taste of an internet writers' site, and my experience of it was good on the whole. When I joined it had no forum to speak of so there was no "networking". The system seemed beautifully simple: post your work for review, and review other people's work. The positive feedback I got gave me the confidence to go on with my writing, and for that I am grateful to some lovely, well-meaning people.

The POD offer is free and no one is being forced to do it. In some cases, years of frustration and rejection have left people with no alternative. It's a free country (mostly) and they are free to choose that option. If it gives them the opportunity to see their work in print then good luck to them.

Introducing Edie Tor

Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce...Edie Tor.
My good friend, confidante and editor par excellence. Hopefully her useful insights will help us all view the publishing business with less innocent eyes.

Visit Edie on her own blog "Edie Tor Talks Turkey".

http://edietor.blogspot.com/